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Month: May 2024

Shelley – 25 May 2024

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Dear friends

It’s another Bank Holiday weekend as well as being half term this week.  I hope that those who are away have a relaxing break. 

We’ll be meeting in the building at 11am tomorrow for an hour and online on the youtube channel @Moortownbaptistchurch. It will be great to join together as we look at Jesus life and ministry in the light of the Trinity on a day that many call ‘Trinity Sunday’.

We have a group for our younger friends to explore the Trinity creatively together.

Here’s a little look ahead at the week..

Sunday 26th May 11amService with group for our younger friends.. what did Jesus show us about the Trinity on Trinity Sunday
Sunday 26th MayRock Solid have a break today (Thanks to the leaders who took them all on a trip last week!)
Monday 27th MayNo Beacon due to the bank holiday the team is having a rest, Lesley is not in the building that day.
Tuesday 28th MayNo Stepping Stones group for under 5’s and their carers and parents due to half term
Tuesday 28th MayTuesday afternoon House Group (contact Lesley for more information)
Tuesday 28th May7.30pm Deacons and Shelley meet in church.
Wednesday 29th MayNo Lunch Club
Wednesday 29th May7.30pm House Group in church and online (see Ruth or Andy Berry or Lesley/Shelley for details)
Thursday 30th May2-4pm Warm Welcome Space and craft group in church
Thursday 30th MayHouse Group at 7pm in church. See Gareth Gadd
Friday 31st May8pm House Group See Hilary/Jonathan or Steve/Helen or Lesley for more details.
Sunday 2nd JuneCafé church 11-12 midday suitable for all ages starting our new theme… ‘Stories on the Journey’ exploring storytelling and the stories of Jesus in Luke. 
Sunday 2nd JuneRock Solid group for youth meet in church 7-8pm.  See Lesley (or Val, Martyn, Nathan or Adam)
Monday 3rd June10-12 midday Beacon Warm Welcome Café
Tuesday 4th JuneStepping Stones under 5’s group for children and their parents, grandparents and carers 10-11.30pm
Wednesday 5th JuneLunch Club for those who have a place booked with Rachel Beedle and the volunteers. Do talk to Rachel or Lesley for more information if you want to find out more.
Wednesday 5th June7.30pm House Group in church and online (see Ruth or Andy Berry or Lesley/Shelley for details)
Wednesday 5th June7.30pm House Group, see Diane or ask Lesley in the office or Shelley.
Thursday 6th JuneMBC hosts the Leeds Community Health Care Children and young people’s learning forum in the morning.
Thursday 6th June2-4pm warm welcome space and craft group in church.
Thursday 6th JuneHouse Group at 7pm-9pm in church. See Gareth Gadd
Friday 7th June8pm House Group See Hilary/Jonathan or Steve/Helen or Lesley for more details.
Sunday 9th June11-12 midday Baptism Service!  Do come along and support Mike, Diane and Candice as they are baptised.  If you would like to be baptised or want to know more then do get in touch with Shelley.

 

Discipleship training with BMS

Saturday, 8 June 2024, 10am to 12pm (refreshments from 9.30am)
Rosehill Baptist Church, Healey Grange, Rosehill Road, Burnley BB11 2JS

Join us to hear about the explosive church growth happening through disciple making movements globally. You will learn how BMS’ local partners work and how we can adopt the same principles.

BMS Celebration
Saturday, 8 June 2024, 7pm (refreshments from 6.30pm)
Briercliffe Road Church, Briercliffe Road/Melville Street, Burnley BB10 3DX

Let’s celebrate God’s goodness together. Kwame will share about BMS’ work and talk about “Rescue The Perishing, Care For The Dying”.

Kwame Adzam has a passionate commitment to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people around the world. He is an ordained evangelist trained by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and is experienced in training evangelists locally and globally. He has been working with BMS World Mission since 2019.

A big thanks goes to Jenny Dixon and all those who grew plants, helped on the day and came to buy things at last weeks plant sale.  See an article all about it here! MBC’s Plant Sale raises £1,300 . On behalf of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store may we say a big thank you to all who came. – Moortown Baptist Church

There will be a whole church meeting on Tuesday 18th June at 7.30pm with Zoom room.  Be great to see you there.  Agenda will come out prior to the meeting.  For any agenda items, do let Shelley or one of the Deacons know in advance of the meeting,  more details to follow.

There will be a walk organised by Krys Gadd on Saturday 22nd June in Ilkley.  Click on here for details Summer Solstice Walk – 22nd June 2024 Ilkley – Moortown Baptist Church

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the spirit of truth” John 14:15

Shelley

Shelley Dring
Minister

MBC endorses its commitment to the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store

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Following an appeal at our last Church Meeting, three MBC members have offered to join the board of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store and/or LMFS Trading Ltd. Nick Taylor and Mike Stoodley are two of them who provided they can satisfy themselves on such issues as trustee liability, the exact difference between a registered charity and a CIO (a charitable incorporated organisation) and the implications of taking on a directorship are both ready and willing to sign up. The other is former L&MFS trustee Rod Russell who has indicated his willingness to return to the organisation but this time purely in a consultancy and advisory capacity.   

The Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store Ltd began its life here at Moortown Baptist Church in 1986 when, led by Hilary Willmer a small group of members began collecting and storing used furniture and then passing it on to people in need. Today that ethos lives on, however, with the passage of time L&MFS is now a fully registered charity, makes a total of over 1,700 collections and deliveries a year and unlike the olden days when cellars and garden sheds were used to store donations runs two smart vans and operates from a 10,500 square foot warehouse in Seacroft.

Relatively speaking LMFS Trading Ltd, the charity’s retail arm which sources, supplies and in most cases fits new furniture, furnishings and white goods is a new addition. Formed a decade or so ago, and with Moortown Baptist Church as one of just two shareholders, the trading company does not actually employ its own staff but pays a quarterly management charge to the charity for the time its staff gives over. In theory it also pays over any profit it makes to the charity although over the last year and due to L&MFS narrowly missing out on an LCC procurement bid the chances of there being any profit soon is unlikely.

The addition of two potential trustees and an experienced advisor is a huge boon to the charity. However, recruiting from within i.e. from Moortown Baptist Church is nothing new in that right from the word go there has rarely been a time when this church hasn’t provided either s succession of trustees or of dedicated volunteers.   

Naturally the arrival of young or metaphorically speaking not so young blood is wonderful news, particularly so with our enthusiastic new Manager, Chris Hutt, and the Store’s existing trustees seeking out every opportunity they can in making sure that L&MFS’s founding mission continues to be both effective and efficient.

L&MFS Mission Statement… A practical demonstration of Christian commitment to socially and economically disadvantaged people our mission is to relieve poverty by distributing donated furniture,.   

You can find out more about the work of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store, LMFS Trading Ltd and its new eBay shop by visiting www.leedsandmoortown.org.uk or by asking Gareth, Nick, Rod, Mike or John to share their impressions of one of MBC’s most important and long lasting projects.  

Just one more item of news from the Store and that is that after serving for over nineteen years first as a trustee and more recently as Chair John Sherbourne is bowing out just as soon as he is able. Of late John, who is now seventy-five years of age has not been in the best of health which despite outward appearances has actually been pretty draining. So, in many ways perhaps this moment in time is not only the right time for John personally, but also the time when the spark needed to ignite a change that the organisation needs.

MBC’s Plant Sale raises £1,300 . On behalf of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store may we say a big thank you to all who came.

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Once more takings from MBC’s Plant Sale have crashed through the thousand pound mark which means that in these difficult times this year’s beneficiary, the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store, is in line to receive a much needed donation of give or take £1,300.

Many thanks to everyone who donated both plants and cakes and of course many thanks to you; the people who came to support us. 

We’ll update you on a final total just as soon as we can. That all depends on how many of the surplus plants we manage to sell tomorrow. However, once again this hardy annual proves beyond doubt that the link that has existed since 1986 between L&MFS and MBC is as strong as ever. 

Special thanks to Jenny Dixon and her team who never cease to amaze us with their planning and their expertise. 

To find out more about the work of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store please click here to visit their website.

 

Shelley – A few things coming up…

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Dear Friends

Here are a few things happening that I have found out about this week that you might be interested in..

Saturday 18th May – Plant Sale 1-3pm
In church in aid of the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store. 

Sunday 19th May – Global Day of Prayer (Leeds) 6 – 8pm
Hosted by New Testament Church of God, Easterly Road, LS8 2TN
“A great opportunity to pray for different nationalities both here in Leeds and abroad.”
The event will include group prayer times led from the front, and a number of prayer stations will be led by different Christians from the Leeds area as we pray for different nation- and people-groups. Some food will be provided for afterwards if people are able to stay.

Please note that this is one gathering of many happening over Pentecost around the British and Irish Isles. And to mark this the event is in association with “Thy Kingdom Come” and the “National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW)” both of which are supporting many prayer gatherings happening across the UK and further afield.

Please note also that people involved in the Global Day of Prayer are connected to the Intercultural Forum which brings people together who are reaching people of different ethnic and national groups here in the city of Leeds. 

Tuesday 21st May – General Election Webinar 
“Join us to explore how individuals and churches can engage in the upcoming General Election.”
As the Election draws near (anticipated to be before January 28 2025), we’ve curated valuable resources to aid you in preparation and engagement. Follow the following link.. Elections – Joint Public Issues Team (jpit.uk)

Saturday 8 June – Disciple Making Training Workshop
10am to 12pm (refreshments from 9.30am) at Rosehill Baptist Church, Healey Grange, Rosehill Road, Burnley BB11 2JS

Join us to hear about the explosive church growth happening through disciple- making movements globally. You will learn how BMS’ local partners work and how we can adopt the same principles.

Saturday, 8 June – BMS Celebration
7pm (refreshments from 6.30pm)
Briercliffe Road Church, Briercliffe Road/Melville Street, Burnley BB10 3DX

Let’s celebrate God’s goodness together. Kwame will share about BMS’ work and talk about “Rescue The Perishing, Care For The Dying”.

Kwame Adzam has a passionate commitment to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people around the world. He is an ordained evangelist trained by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and is experienced in training evangelists locally and globally. He has been working with BMS World Mission since 2019.

Shelley

Shelley Dring
Minister

 

Pentecost Sunday (Whitsunday) – 19th May, 11am

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Please join us this Sunday for Pentecost and our Communion service.
We have Sunday School and Creche facilities.
Want to know more about Pentecost? Please click here or view text below.

 

Acts 2
New International Version

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e]

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’[f]

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  2. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
  3. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
  4. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
  5. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
  6. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1

Be great to have you come and celebrate Pentecost with us.

Well Done Shelley!!!

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Rob Burrow’s Leeds Marathon – 11th May

Congratulations Shelley, she completed the 26.2 miles in a PB time of 3 hours and 49 minutes.

This is a fantastic achievement.

Please see below a selection of pictures from the day 

If you wish to know more what the event was about please click here 

 

Shelley has so far raised over £1,000 for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

The page is still live, if you would like to donate
please click on this link.

Shelley would like to thank all that have supported her and donated.

I’m sure there will be more 

 

 

Where to go when you are at rock bottom

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This week working at St George’s Crypt, in conversation a client told me he felt life was pretty much ended for him . As an addict he said his family didn’t believe he could change and didn’t want to see him again.

From previous conversations I knew this man was open to spiritual truth and so I assured him that everyone can change, and God wasn’t giving up on him and nor was I.  I pointed out that he was already changing and there was no reason to think that what he hoped for his life couldn’t happen. I could sense this was an important conversation for him and he was listening intently.

Later on I found myself asking the question “Where should we go when life seems hope-less?” As I was searching for an answer, the words of a prayer I had learnt by rote at school and repeated many times in school assemblies dropped into my mind just as I has learnt them:
Out of the depths I have cried unto Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark our iniquities: O Lord, who shall stand?
But with Thee there is mercy and by reason of Thy law I have waited on Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even unto night: let Israel hope in the Lord.
For with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him is plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.  [Psalm 130]
I realised God was pointing me to the answer. David penned this Psalm when he was at one of the lowest points in his life. It tells us where to find hope – in the character of God revealed in His word. It tells us we can know that God is a God of forgiveness, mercy (undeserved favour) and “plenteous redemption”. “Plenteous” communicates to us the truth that there is a great abundance of something, but in saying that there is “plenteous redemption” points to an overflowing, inexhaustible supply of divine forgiveness through the sacrificial blood of Jesus the Son of God.

For the man in question I knew he had a bible and I wrote out for him Jeremiah 29 v 11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for good and not for evil – to bring about the future you hope for.” (GNT)

I am reminded of a story where a group of people  trekking through a jungle realised that they were hopelessly lost.  After many hours of wandering they came across a man who knew the terrain and asked him  if he could show them the way. To their surprise he said to them to them – “I am the Way – follow me” and he led them safely to their destination. In the same way when we feel lost, Jesus says to us “I am the Way. ( John 14 v 6) and he will lead us safely home to the Father.

Lord help us be sensitive to the needs of others who are in despair. Help us by Your spirit to instill hope and trust in you. Thank You for Your Word and for the fact that You are the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

Dementia Friendly Week. 13th – 19th May

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Dementia Action Week – 13-19 May 2024
Dementia Action Week is an awareness raising campaign. Each year, Alzheimer’s Society works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to act on dementia.
As an Age and Dementia Friendly Organisation MBC is getting involved in Dementia Action Week. Lunch Club will have a visit from Carole, the Dementia Support Worker at MAECare to find out more and to do some activities.
Our Seniors Worker, Rachel, who is also a Dementia Friends Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, will be leading a Dementia Friends Information Session on Sunday 19th May at 12.30pm in the Music Room. It will last about 45 minutes and is a chance to learn about what dementia is and also how to support those living with dementia and their carers.

If you would like to attend please let Lesley or Rachel know.

Please click the link below to download a copy:

Dementia Action Week info 2024

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